Confederations Cup - U.S. -v- Italy

#26
#26
ptclaus98 said:
Exactly. You don't start for Everton and beat out another quality keeper in Guzan if you're a crap keeper. We lost that game because we couldn't keep the pressure on with 10 men, and our back line is terrible.
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He's not a true US player so he doesn't get the love. People need to realize the guys playing on the US team from the MLS are average at best on the int'l level. The US keepers have actually been a bright spot for US teams in the recent past (and by recent I mean everything past the Meola crapfest).
 
#27
#27
Some personal opinions on the game.

1. Italy was clearly the better team.
2. The USA never quits. After the red card we pushed on and took the lead. We couldn't hold it, but this team will certainly keep fighting.
3. Tim Howard is really good. Those three goals were perfect shots.
4. Guiseppe Rossi is not a traitor. He was born here, but he is 100% Italian. He had the choice between playing for a country that cares a lot about soccer, and one that doesn't care nearly as much. He made the right choice.
5. The United States needs some people who can make plays on offense. Thats been lacking for the US so much, because we've never had that really dangerous forward. Compare our forwards to the forwards on the top level teams of the last few generations and that becomes very obvious.
6. The US needs better shooters. Guys that can actually put a strain on keepers from outside the box.
7. The US could very well finish last in this group. I don't think they will, but its certainly a possibility. Egypt was impressive.
8. Brazil is next. They are going to really test Howard and the defense. However they aren't as good defensively as Italy, so hopefully we can get some more opportunities.
9. Italy still looks good. Marcello Lippi improved that team in a hurry. He has a chance to win another world cup next year. I don't think they will, but I like their chances a lot more than I did watching them in Austria/ Switzerland last year.
10. The Brazil Italy game is obviously going to decide the group winner. Italy looked much better than Brazil yesterday. Chances are, when that games comes, both teams will be qualified and be resting their players a little bit.
 
#28
#28
Other thoughts about the tournament.

1. Spain should win this tournament. They are ridiculously talented, and the chemistry between the players, especially on the offensive side, is incredible. I think they are on a 33 match unbeaten streak, and that certainly won't end in the group stage. They have to be the favorites for the world cup next year.
2. That being said, its a joke that they got the group that they did. Each of those teams is walking into a slaughter.
3. South Africa is going to waste a one seed in the world cup. Whichever group they are in will be the worst in the tournament. Hopefully the United States is in that group next year.
4. I can't tell if Egypt is any good, or if Brazil is just lazy. They always tend to start out tournaments slowly. They'll be playing Spain at some point, so that will be a good test for them.
5. I'm not sure why Egypt is filing an appeal. I really don't see how there can be any proof that the official used the scoreboard, but we will see.
 
#29
#29
So I am clearly in the minority with Howard. Fine. But he has always been so highly rated... I just don't see it.
 
#31
#31
tvolsfan said:
4. I can't tell if Egypt is any good, or if Brazil is just lazy. They always tend to start out tournaments slowly. They'll be playing Spain at some point, so that will be a good test for them.
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Brazil is lazy in the opening rounds of almost any tourney (it's a S American thing). Watch how much better they look in the later rounds.
 
#33
#33
utvolpj said:
Brazil is lazy in the opening rounds of almost any tourney (it's a S American thing). Watch how much better they look in the later rounds.
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You are right, but what concerns me is usually the laziness shows on the offensive side. They score low early and pick it up later. This time they defense looked weak, which I think is a cause for concern. I haven't watched them much lately, so I don't know if this is a common thing now, but we shall see.
 
#34
#34
hohenfelsvol said:
Actually they don't. They were outmanned and Italy is also just simply a better team overall. They put up a good fight.
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Tournaments are always less interesting without your Germans participating. I'm looking forward to seeing them play next year.
 
#35
#35
IPorange said:
So I am clearly in the minority with Howard. Fine. But he has always been so highly rated... I just don't see it.
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When you realize who our back 4 are, compared to any back 4 in the world, It'll become clear. They aren't good when we're healthy, much less down 2 men, and a deep midfielder(?) getting carded
 
#36
#36
tvolsfan said:
You are right, but what concerns me is usually the laziness shows on the offensive side. They score low early and pick it up later. This time they defense looked weak, which I think is a cause for concern. I haven't watched them much lately, so I don't know if this is a common thing now, but we shall see.
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Well, outside of Kaka, their front guys haven't had great club seasons, and that translates to international play.
 
#37
#37
tvolsfan said:
Tournaments are always less interesting without your Germans participating. I'm looking forward to seeing them play next year.
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Germans would have made it more interesting. Americans are going to gain a lot of experience.
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#38
#38
ptclaus98 said:
Well, outside of Kaka, their front guys haven't had great club seasons, and that translates to international play.
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I think the problem is more that they don't play together all that much. Look at Spain and you would think they have played together their whole lives. With Brazil, they'll improve offensively, but right now, I'm more interested in their defense. Hopefully they don't have it together by this next game, because the US has a really poor offense. I want to see Eddie Johnson play. He seemed to create the most chances in the past world cup.
 
#39
#39
tvolsfan said:
I think the problem is more that they don't play together all that much. Look at Spain and you would think they have played together their whole lives. With Brazil, they'll improve offensively, but right now, I'm more interested in their defense. Hopefully they don't have it together by this next game, because the US has a really poor offense. I want to see Eddie Johnson play. He seemed to create the most chances in the past world cup.
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Exactly! I used to destroy people with him and Dempsey on FIFA 07. What the hell happened to him, is he hurt? He hasn't played for the US since the world cup.
 
#40
#40
So, what is the point of this tournament? If we lose all three games, will that affect our chances of getting into the World Cup?
If Italy can score three goals on you like they did, then you are pretty poor! They usually bore me because they are so conservative. It seems like Italy likes to win games in PKs or else in a close shutout.
 
#41
#41
Panthro said:
So, what is the point of this tournament? If we lose all three games, will that affect our chances of getting into the World Cup?
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I don't believe there's really a point to this tourney except for maybe giving the host country a dress rehearsal for the main event
 
#42
#42
Okay. Cool. I'm glad we are participating then.
Watching the Spain/Iraq game right now. It's been completely one-sided in the first half...but still scoreless.
I wish we were in a group with Iraq, South Africa, and New Zealand.
 
#43
#43
tvolsfan said:
I think the problem is more that they don't play together all that much. Look at Spain and you would think they have played together their whole lives. .
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Xavi and Iniesta playing together at Barca makes an unbeliveable difference, playing together in probably 50 games a year minimum for team chemistry for international football will do wonders. I dont think i can name another top country that has their CM's playing on the same team.
 
#44
#44
hohenfelsvol said:
Actually they don't. They were outmanned and Italy is also just simply a better team overall. They put up a good fight.
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i wouldnt consider a team that gave up 2 goals to costa rica in what was it 13 minutes(?) to be good. as hard as howard tries there still seems to be little chemistry with this team.
 
#45
#45
Panthro said:
Okay. Cool. I'm glad we are participating then.
Watching the Spain/Iraq game right now. It's been completely one-sided in the first half...but still scoreless.
I wish we were in a group with Iraq, South Africa, and New Zealand.
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The way we've played the last couple of months, we'd probably only be able to beat the Kiwis.
 
#46
#46
the US advances with a 3-0 defeat of Egypt and Italy loses to Brazil by the same score.

Bradley wisely sat a very tired Howard.
 
#48
#48
I know nothing about soccer, but Italy has to be majorly pissed that the only possible way they couldn't advance happened though
 
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